Volunteer options plentiful on Martha’s Vineyard

“Work is man’s salvation,” is an age-old maxim, with roots in the Bible, most likely. Like many old saws, it can be profound or trite, depending who says it, how they say it, or your mood when you hear it.

But nearly everyone agrees that being engaged, whether for pay or not, is healthy. If you can’t find paid work, or can’t find the time for it, volunteering can meet all kinds of needs, and leave you feeling better in the process.

On the Vineyard, opportunities for volunteering are numerous and varied. The Martha’s Vineyard Donors Collaborative maintains a list of organizations that welcome volunteer involvement. The collaborative recognizes that, “We have a population of residents rich in experience, energy, and compassion who want to be involved in the community,” according to their website. “Volunteering is a way to meet new people, to give back, to enhance professional relationships, and to use your skills.”